Another commonly used name in the U.S. and Canada is typhoid vaccine.

• Immunizing agent, active

Typhoid (TYE-foid) fever is a serious disease that can cause death. It is caused by a germ called Salmonella typhi and is spread most often through infected food or water. Typhoid may also be spread by close person-to-person contact with infected persons (such as occurs with persons living in the same household). Some infected persons do not appear to be sick, but they can still spread the germ to others.

Typhoid fever is rare in the U.S. and in other areas of the world that have good water and sewage (waste) systems. However, it is a problem in parts of the world that do not have such systems. If you are traveling to certain countries, or to remote, out-of-the-way areas, typhoid vaccine will help protect you from typhoid fever. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) currently recommend caution in the following areas of the world:

• Africa
• Asia
• Latin America

Typhoid vaccine given by injection helps prevent typhoid fever but does not provide 100% protection. Therefore, it is very important to avoid infected persons and food and water that may be infected, even if you have received the vaccine.

To get the best possible protection against typhoid, you should complete the vaccine dosing schedule at least 1 week before you travel to areas where you may be exposed to typhoid.

Also, if you will be traveling regularly to parts of the world where typhoid is a problem, you should get a booster (repeat) dose of the vaccine every 3 years.

Typhoid vaccine is to be used only by or under the supervision of a doctor. It is available in the following dosage form:

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S. and Canada)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For typhoid vaccine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to typhoid vaccine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.

Pregnancy—Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.

Breast-feeding—This vaccine has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Typhoid vaccine is not recommended for infants and children up to 6 months of age. For infants and children 6 months of age and over, this vaccine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of typhoid vaccine in the elderly with use in other age groups, this vaccine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

• Previous sensitivity reaction to typhoid vaccine—Use of typhoid vaccine is not recommended

• Severe illness with fever—The symptoms of the condition may be confused with the side effects of the vaccine

It is important that you complete the full vaccine dosing schedule. If all the doses are not taken or if doses are not taken at the correct times, the vaccine may not work properly.

Dosing—

The dose of typhoid vaccine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders.

Along with its needed effects, a vaccine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. It is very important that you tell your doctor about any side effects that occur after a dose of typhoid vaccine, even though the side effect may have gone away without treatment. Some types of side effects may mean that you should not receive any more doses of typhoid vaccine.

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Rare
  • Chest pain;  difficulty in breathing or swallowing;  hives;  itching, especially of feet or hands;  joint pain;  reddening of skin, especially around ears;  swelling of eyes, face, or inside of nose;  unusual tiredness or weakness (sudden and severe) 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the vaccine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• More common
  • Fever;  general feeling of discomfort or illness;  headache;  muscle pain;  pain, redness, or swelling at place of injection  
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.